Non-planar architecture for intelligent reflective surface

ABSTRACT

A node including a non-planar reflective surface is disclosed. The node may receive, from a base station, an indication of a surface configuration of at least one convex reflective surface of the node. The indication may indicate that the surface configuration corresponds to at least one of a broadcast configuration or a UE-specific configuration. The node may configure, upon receiving the indication of the surface configuration, the at least one convex reflective surface based on the surface configuration. The surface configuration may correspond to at least one of the broadcast configuration or the UE-specific configuration. The node may forward communication received from, or forward communication to, the base station based on the surface configuration of the at least one convex reflective surface.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, andmore particularly, to a non-planar reflective surface architecture.

INTRODUCTION

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide varioustelecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging,and broadcasts. Typical wireless communication systems may employmultiple-access technologies capable of supporting communication withmultiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of suchmultiple-access technologies include code division multiple access(CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequencydivision multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency divisionmultiple access (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier frequency divisionmultiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and time division synchronous codedivision multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

These multiple access technologies have been adopted in varioustelecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enablesdifferent wireless devices to communicate on a municipal, national,regional, and even global level. An example telecommunication standardis 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of a continuous mobile broadbandevolution promulgated by Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) tomeet new requirements associated with latency, reliability, security,scalability (e.g., with Internet of Things (IoT)), and otherrequirements. 5G NR includes services associated with enhanced mobilebroadband (eMBB), massive machine type communications (mMTC), andultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC). Some aspects of 5G NRmay be based on the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. There existsa need for further improvements in 5G NR technology. These improvementsmay also be applicable to other multi-access technologies and thetelecommunication standards that employ these technologies.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects inorder to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary isnot an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intendedto neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nordelineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is topresent some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium,and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a base station. Theapparatus may select a surface configuration of at least one convexreflective surface of a node. The surface configuration may correspondto at least one of a broadcast configuration or a user equipment(UE)-specific configuration. The apparatus may transmit, to the node, anindication of the surface configuration of the at least one convexreflective surface of the node. The indication may indicate that thesurface configuration corresponds to at least one of the broadcastconfiguration or the UE-specific configuration. The apparatus maytransmit communication to, or receive communication from, one or moreUEs via the node based on the surface configuration of the at least oneconvex reflective surface.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium,and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a node. Theapparatus may receive, from a base station, an indication of a surfaceconfiguration of at least one convex reflective surface of the node. Theindication may indicate that the surface configuration corresponds to atleast one of a broadcast configuration or a UE-specific configuration.The apparatus may configure, upon receiving the indication of thesurface configuration, the at least one convex reflective surface basedon the surface configuration. The surface configuration may correspondto at least one of the broadcast configuration or the UE-specificconfiguration. The apparatus may forward communication received from, orforward communication to, the base station based on the surfaceconfiguration of the at least one convex reflective surface.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or moreaspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims. The following description andthe annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative featuresof the one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, ofbut a few of the various ways in which the principles of various aspectsmay be employed, and this description is intended to include all suchaspects and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communicationssystem and an access network.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of a first frame, inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of DL channels within asubframe, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating an example of a second frame, inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2D is a diagram illustrating an example of UL channels within asubframe, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a base station and userequipment (UE) in an access network.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an environment in which an IRS mayoperate.

FIGS. 5A-C are diagrams illustrating the operations of an examplenon-planar reflective surface according to aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example non-planar reflectivesurface according to one aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a communication flow of a method of wirelesscommunication.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an example apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an example apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of various configurations and isnot intended to represent the only configurations in which the conceptsdescribed herein may be practiced. The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understandingof various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that these concepts may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well known structures and components areshown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented withreference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methodswill be described in the following detailed description and illustratedin the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits,processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”).These elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computersoftware, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements areimplemented as hardware or software depends upon the particularapplication and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

By way of example, an element, or any portion of an element, or anycombination of elements may be implemented as a “processing system” thatincludes one or more processors. Examples of processors includemicroprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs),central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signalprocessors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors,systems on a chip (SoC), baseband processors, field programmable gatearrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gatedlogic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardwareconfigured to perform the various functionality described throughoutthis disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system mayexecute software. Software shall be construed broadly to meaninstructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code,programs, subprograms, software components, applications, softwareapplications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects,executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whetherreferred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardwaredescription language, or otherwise.

Accordingly, in one or more example embodiments, the functions describedmay be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. Ifimplemented in software, the functions may be stored on or encoded asone or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.Computer-readable media includes computer storage media. Storage mediamay be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way ofexample, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise arandom-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electricallyerasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic diskstorage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of the types ofcomputer-readable media, or any other medium that can be used to storecomputer executable code in the form of instructions or data structuresthat can be accessed by a computer.

While aspects and implementations are described in this application byillustration to some examples, those skilled in the art will understandthat additional implementations and use cases may come about in manydifferent arrangements and scenarios. Innovations described herein maybe implemented across many differing platform types, devices, systems,shapes, sizes, and packaging arrangements. For example, implementationsand/or uses may come about via integrated chip implementations and othernon-module-component based devices (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles,communication devices, computing devices, industrial equipment,retail/purchasing devices, medical devices, artificial intelligence(AI)-enabled devices, etc.). While some examples may or may not bespecifically directed to use cases or applications, a wide assortment ofapplicability of described innovations may occur. Implementations mayrange a spectrum from chip-level or modular components to non-modular,non-chip-level implementations and further to aggregate, distributed, ororiginal equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices or systems incorporatingone or more aspects of the described innovations. In some practicalsettings, devices incorporating described aspects and features may alsoinclude additional components and features for implementation andpractice of claimed and described aspect. For example, transmission andreception of wireless signals necessarily includes a number ofcomponents for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware componentsincluding antenna, RF-chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffer,processor(s), interleaver, adders/summers, etc.). It is intended thatinnovations described herein may be practiced in a wide variety ofdevices, chip-level components, systems, distributed arrangements,aggregated or disaggregated components, end-user devices, etc. ofvarying sizes, shapes, and constitution.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communicationssystem and an access network 100. The wireless communications system(also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes basestations 102, UEs 104, an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 160, and anothercore network 190 (e.g., a 5G Core (5GC)). The base stations 102 mayinclude macrocells (high power cellular base station) and/or small cells(low power cellular base station). The macrocells include base stations.The small cells include femtocells, picocells, and microcells.

The base stations 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to asEvolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) TerrestrialRadio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) may interface with the EPC 160 throughfirst backhaul links 132 (e.g., S1 interface). The base stations 102configured for 5G NR (collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN(NG-RAN)) may interface with core network 190 through second backhaullinks 184. In addition to other functions, the base stations 102 mayperform one or more of the following functions: transfer of user data,radio channel ciphering and deciphering, integrity protection, headercompression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dualconnectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection setupand release, load balancing, distribution for non-access stratum (NAS)messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network(RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriberand equipment trace, RAN information management (RIM), paging,positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations 102 maycommunicate directly or indirectly (e.g., through the EPC 160 or corenetwork 190) with each other over third backhaul links 134 (e.g., X2interface). The first backhaul links 132, the second backhaul links 184,and the third backhaul links 134 may be wired or wireless.

The base stations 102 may wirelessly communicate with the UEs 104. Eachof the base stations 102 may provide communication coverage for arespective geographic coverage area 110. There may be overlappinggeographic coverage areas 110. For example, the small cell 102′ may havea coverage area 110′ that overlaps the coverage area 110 of one or moremacro base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell andmacrocells may be known as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneousnetwork may also include Home Evolved Node Bs (eNBs) (HeNBs), which mayprovide service to a restricted group known as a closed subscriber group(CSG). The communication links 120 between the base stations 102 and theUEs 104 may include uplink (UL) (also referred to as reverse link)transmissions from a UE 104 to a base station 102 and/or downlink (DL)(also referred to as forward link) transmissions from a base station 102to a UE 104. The communication links 120 may use multiple-input andmultiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatialmultiplexing, beamforming, and/or transmit diversity. The communicationlinks may be through one or more carriers. The base stations 102/UEs 104may use spectrum up to Y MHz (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 100, 400, etc. MHz)bandwidth per carrier allocated in a carrier aggregation of up to atotal of Yx MHz (x component carriers) used for transmission in eachdirection. The carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other.Allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL(e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL than for UL). Thecomponent carriers may include a primary component carrier and one ormore secondary component carriers. A primary component carrier may bereferred to as a primary cell (PCell) and a secondary component carriermay be referred to as a secondary cell (SCell).

Certain UEs 104 may communicate with each other using device-to-device(D2D) communication link 158. The D2D communication link 158 may use theDL/UL WWAN spectrum. The D2D communication link 158 may use one or moresidelink channels, such as a physical sidelink broadcast channel(PSBCH), a physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), a physicalsidelink shared channel (PSSCH), and a physical sidelink control channel(PSCCH). D2D communication may be through a variety of wireless D2Dcommunications systems, such as for example, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee,Wi-Fi based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE) 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

The wireless communications system may further include a Wi-Fi accesspoint (AP) 150 in communication with Wi-Fi stations (STAs) 152 viacommunication links 154, e.g., in a 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrumor the like. When communicating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, theSTAs 152/AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) prior tocommunicating in order to determine whether the channel is available.

The small cell 102′ may operate in a licensed and/or an unlicensedfrequency spectrum. When operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum,the small cell 102′ may employ NR and use the same unlicensed frequencyspectrum (e.g., 5 GHz, or the like) as used by the Wi-Fi AP 150. Thesmall cell 102′, employing NR in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, mayboost coverage to and/or increase capacity of the access network.

The electromagnetic spectrum is often subdivided, based onfrequency/wavelength, into various classes, bands, channels, etc. In 5GNR, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency rangedesignations FR1 (410 MHz-7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz-52.6 GHz).Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often referredto (interchangeably) as a “sub-6 GHz” band in various documents andarticles. A similar nomenclature issue sometimes occurs with regard toFR2, which is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “millimeter wave”band in documents and articles, despite being different from theextremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz-300 GHz) which is identifiedby the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as a “millimeterwave” band.

The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-bandfrequencies. Recent 5G NR studies have identified an operating band forthese mid-band frequencies as frequency range designation FR3 (7.125GHz-24.25 GHz). Frequency bands falling within FR3 may inherit FR1characteristics and/or FR2 characteristics, and thus may effectivelyextend features of FR1 and/or FR2 into mid-band frequencies. Inaddition, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend5G NR operation beyond 52.6 GHz. For example, three higher operatingbands have been identified as frequency range designations FR4a or FR4-1(52.6 GHz-71 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz-114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz-300GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

With the above aspects in mind, unless specifically stated otherwise, itshould be understood that the term “sub-6 GHz” or the like if usedherein may broadly represent frequencies that may be less than 6 GHz,may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. Further, unlessspecifically stated otherwise, it should be understood that the term“millimeter wave” or the like if used herein may broadly representfrequencies that may include mid-band frequencies, may be within FR2,FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1, and/or FR5, or may be within the EHF band.

A base station 102, whether a small cell 102′ or a large cell (e.g.,macro base station), may include and/or be referred to as an eNB, gNodeB(gNB), or another type of base station. Some base stations, such as gNB180 may operate in a traditional sub 6 GHz spectrum, in millimeter wavefrequencies, and/or near millimeter wave frequencies in communicationwith the UE 104. When the gNB 180 operates in millimeter wave or nearmillimeter wave frequencies, the gNB 180 may be referred to as amillimeter wave base station. The millimeter wave base station 180 mayutilize beamforming 182 with the UE 104 to compensate for the path lossand short range. The base station 180 and the UE 104 may each include aplurality of antennas, such as antenna elements, antenna panels, and/orantenna arrays to facilitate the beamforming.

The base station 180 may transmit a beamformed signal to the UE 104 inone or more transmit directions 182′. The UE 104 may receive thebeamformed signal from the base station 180 in one or more receivedirections 182″. The UE 104 may also transmit a beamformed signal to thebase station 180 in one or more transmit directions. The base station180 may receive the beamformed signal from the UE 104 in one or morereceive directions. The base station 180/UE 104 may perform beamtraining to determine the best receive and transmit directions for eachof the base station 180/UE 104. The transmit and receive directions forthe base station 180 may or may not be the same. The transmit andreceive directions for the UE 104 may or may not be the same.

The EPC 160 may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, otherMMEs 164, a Serving Gateway 166, a Multimedia Broadcast MulticastService (MBMS) Gateway 168, a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC)170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172. The MME 162 may be incommunication with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 isthe control node that processes the signaling between the UEs 104 andthe EPC 160. Generally, the MME 162 provides bearer and connectionmanagement. All user Internet protocol (IP) packets are transferredthrough the Serving Gateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDNGateway 172. The PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation aswell as other functions. The PDN Gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 areconnected to the IP Services 176. The IP Services 176 may include theInternet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS StreamingService, and/or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 may provide functionsfor MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 170 may serveas an entry point for content provider MBMS transmission, may be used toauthorize and initiate MBMS Bearer Services within a public land mobilenetwork (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMSGateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS traffic to the base stations102 belonging to a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN)area broadcasting a particular service, and may be responsible forsession management (start/stop) and for collecting eMBMS relatedcharging information.

The core network 190 may include an Access and Mobility ManagementFunction (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, a Session Management Function (SMF)194, and a User Plane Function (UPF) 195. The AMF 192 may be incommunication with a Unified Data Management (UDM) 196. The AMF 192 isthe control node that processes the signaling between the UEs 104 andthe core network 190. Generally, the AMF 192 provides QoS flow andsession management. All user Internet protocol (IP) packets aretransferred through the UPF 195. The UPF 195 provides UE IP addressallocation as well as other functions. The UPF 195 is connected to theIP Services 197. The IP Services 197 may include the Internet, anintranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a Packet Switch (PS)Streaming (PSS) Service, and/or other IP services.

The base station may include and/or be referred to as a gNB, Node B,eNB, an access point, a base transceiver station, a radio base station,a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basic service set (BSS),an extended service set (ESS), a transmit reception point (TRP), or someother suitable terminology. The base station 102 provides an accesspoint to the EPC 160 or core network 190 for a UE 104. Examples of UEs104 include a cellular phone, a smart phone, a session initiationprotocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), asatellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, avideo device, a digital audio player (e.g., MP3 player), a camera, agame console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, a vehicle, anelectric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, ahealthcare device, an implant, a sensor/actuator, a display, or anyother similar functioning device. Some of the UEs 104 may be referred toas IoT devices (e.g., parking meter, gas pump, toaster, vehicles, heartmonitor, etc.). The UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, amobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit,a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, awireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile subscriberstation, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, aremote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, orsome other suitable terminology. In some scenarios, the term UE may alsoapply to one or more companion devices such as in a device constellationarrangement. One or more of these devices may collectively access thenetwork and/or individually access the network.

Referring again to FIG. 1 , in certain aspects, the base station 180 mayinclude an intelligent reflective surface (IRS) component 199 that maybe configured to select a surface configuration of at least one convexreflective surface of a node. The surface configuration may correspondto at least one of a broadcast configuration or a UE-specificconfiguration. The IRS component 199 may be configured to transmit, tothe node, an indication of the surface configuration of the at least oneconvex reflective surface of the node. The indication may indicate thatthe surface configuration corresponds to at least one of the broadcastconfiguration or the UE-specific configuration. The IRS component 199may be configured to transmit communication to, or receive communicationfrom, one or more UEs via the node based on the surface configuration ofthe at least one convex reflective surface. In certain aspects, the node112 may include an IRS component 198 that may be configured to receive,from a base station, an indication of a surface configuration of atleast one convex reflective surface of the node. The indication mayindicate that the surface configuration corresponds to at least one of abroadcast configuration or a UE-specific configuration. The IRScomponent 198 may be configured to configure, upon receiving theindication of the surface configuration, the at least one convexreflective surface based on the surface configuration. The surfaceconfiguration may correspond to at least one of the broadcastconfiguration or the UE-specific configuration. The IRS component 198may be configured to forward communication received from, or forwardcommunication to, the base station based on the surface configuration ofthe at least one convex reflective surface. Although the followingdescription may be focused on 5G NR, the concepts described herein maybe applicable to other similar areas, such as LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, andother wireless technologies.

FIG. 2A is a diagram 200 illustrating an example of a first subframewithin a 5G NR frame structure. FIG. 2B is a diagram 230 illustrating anexample of DL channels within a 5G NR subframe. FIG. 2C is a diagram 250illustrating an example of a second subframe within a 5G NR framestructure. FIG. 2D is a diagram 280 illustrating an example of ULchannels within a 5G NR subframe. The 5G NR frame structure may befrequency division duplexed (FDD) in which for a particular set ofsubcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within the set ofsubcarriers are dedicated for either DL or UL, or may be time divisionduplexed (TDD) in which for a particular set of subcarriers (carriersystem bandwidth), subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicatedfor both DL and UL. In the examples provided by FIGS. 2A, 2C, the 5G NRframe structure is assumed to be TDD, with subframe 4 being configuredwith slot format 28 (with mostly DL), where D is DL, U is UL, and F isflexible for use between DL/UL, and subframe 3 being configured withslot format 1 (with all UL). While subframes 3, 4 are shown with slotformats 1, 28, respectively, any particular subframe may be configuredwith any of the various available slot formats 0-61. Slot formats 0, 1are all DL, UL, respectively. Other slot formats 2-61 include a mix ofDL, UL, and flexible symbols. UEs are configured with the slot format(dynamically through DL control information (DCI), orsemi-statically/statically through radio resource control (RRC)signaling) through a received slot format indicator (SFI). Note that thedescription infra applies also to a 5G NR frame structure that is TDD.

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate a frame structure, and the aspects of the presentdisclosure may be applicable to other wireless communicationtechnologies, which may have a different frame structure and/ordifferent channels. A frame (10 ms) may be divided into 10 equally sizedsubframes (1 ms). Each subframe may include one or more time slots.Subframes may also include mini-slots, which may include 7, 4, or 2symbols. Each slot may include 14 or 12 symbols, depending on whetherthe cyclic prefix (CP) is normal or extended. For normal CP, each slotmay include 14 symbols, and for extended CP, each slot may include 12symbols. The symbols on DL may be CP orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing (OFDM) (CP-OFDM) symbols. The symbols on UL may be CP-OFDMsymbols (for high throughput scenarios) or discrete Fourier transform(DFT) spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols (also referred to as singlecarrier frequency-division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbols) (for powerlimited scenarios; limited to a single stream transmission). The numberof slots within a subframe is based on the numerology. The numerologydefines the subcarrier spacing (SCS) and, effectively, the symbollength/duration, which is equal to 1/SCS.

SCS μ Δf = 2^(μ) · 15 [kHz] Cyclic prefix 0 15 Normal 1 30 Normal 2 60Normal, Extended 3 120 Normal 4 240 Normal

For normal CP (14 symbols/slot), different numerologies μ 0 to 4 allowfor 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 slots, respectively, per subframe. For extendedCP, the numerology 2 allows for 4 slots per subframe. Accordingly, fornormal CP and numerology μ, there are 14 symbols/slot and 2^(μ)slots/subframe. The subcarrier spacing may be equal to 2^(μ)*15 kHz,where μ is the numerology 0 to 4. As such, the numerology μ=0 has asubcarrier spacing of 15 kHz and the numerology μ=4 has a subcarrierspacing of 240 kHz. The symbol length/duration is inversely related tothe subcarrier spacing. FIGS. 2A-2D provide an example of normal CP with14 symbols per slot and numerology μ=2 with 4 slots per subframe. Theslot duration is approximately 0.25 ms, the subcarrier spacing is 60kHz, and the symbol duration is approximately 16.67 μs. Within a set offrames, there may be one or more different bandwidth parts (BWPs) (seeFIG. 2B) that are frequency division multiplexed. Each BWP may have aparticular numerology and CP (normal or extended).

A resource grid may be used to represent the frame structure. Each timeslot includes a resource block (RB) (also referred to as physical RBs(PRBs)) that extends 12 consecutive subcarriers. The resource grid isdivided into multiple resource elements (REs). The number of bitscarried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, some of the REs carry reference (pilot)signals (RS) for the UE. The RS may include demodulation RS (DM-RS)(indicated as R for one particular configuration, but other DM-RSconfigurations are possible) and channel state information referencesignals (CSI-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The RS may alsoinclude beam measurement RS (BRS), beam refinement RS (BRRS), and phasetracking RS (PT-RS).

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of various DL channels within a subframeof a frame. The physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carries DCIwithin one or more control channel elements (CCEs) (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 8, or16 CCEs), each CCE including six RE groups (REGs), each REG including 12consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol of an RB. A PDCCH within one BWP maybe referred to as a control resource set (CORESET). A UE is configuredto monitor PDCCH candidates in a PDCCH search space (e.g., common searchspace, UE-specific search space) during PDCCH monitoring occasions onthe CORESET, where the PDCCH candidates have different DCI formats anddifferent aggregation levels. Additional BWPs may be located at greaterand/or lower frequencies across the channel bandwidth. A primarysynchronization signal (PSS) may be within symbol 2 of particularsubframes of a frame. The PSS is used by a UE 104 to determinesubframe/symbol timing and a physical layer identity. A secondarysynchronization signal (SSS) may be within symbol 4 of particularsubframes of a frame. The SSS is used by a UE to determine a physicallayer cell identity group number and radio frame timing. Based on thephysical layer identity and the physical layer cell identity groupnumber, the UE can determine a physical cell identifier (PCI). Based onthe PCI, the UE can determine the locations of the DM-RS. The physicalbroadcast channel (PBCH), which carries a master information block(MIB), may be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form asynchronization signal (SS)/PBCH block (also referred to as SS block(SSB)). The MIB provides a number of RBs in the system bandwidth and asystem frame number (SFN). The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)carries user data, broadcast system information not transmitted throughthe PBCH such as system information blocks (SIBs), and paging messages.

As illustrated in FIG. 2C, some of the REs carry DM-RS (indicated as Rfor one particular configuration, but other DM-RS configurations arepossible) for channel estimation at the base station. The UE maytransmit DM-RS for the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and DM-RSfor the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The PUSCH DM-RS may betransmitted in the first one or two symbols of the PUSCH. The PUCCHDM-RS may be transmitted in different configurations depending onwhether short or long PUCCHs are transmitted and depending on theparticular PUCCH format used. The UE may transmit sounding referencesignals (SRS). The SRS may be transmitted in the last symbol of asubframe. The SRS may have a comb structure, and a UE may transmit SRSon one of the combs. The SRS may be used by a base station for channelquality estimation to enable frequency-dependent scheduling on the UL.

FIG. 2D illustrates an example of various UL channels within a subframeof a frame. The PUCCH may be located as indicated in one configuration.The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI), such as schedulingrequests, a channel quality indicator (CQI), a precoding matrixindicator (PMI), a rank indicator (RI), and hybrid automatic repeatrequest (HARQ) acknowledgment (ACK) (HARQ-ACK) feedback (i.e., one ormore HARQ ACK bits indicating one or more ACK and/or negative ACK(NACK)). The PUSCH carries data, and may additionally be used to carry abuffer status report (BSR), a power headroom report (PHR), and/or UCI.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a base station 310 in communication with aUE 350 in an access network. In the DL, IP packets from the EPC 160 maybe provided to a controller/processor 375. The controller/processor 375implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality. Layer 3 includes a radioresource control (RRC) layer, and layer 2 includes a service dataadaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol(PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a medium accesscontrol (MAC) layer. The controller/processor 375 provides RRC layerfunctionality associated with broadcasting of system information (e.g.,MIB, SIBs), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRCconnection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRCconnection release), inter radio access technology (RAT) mobility, andmeasurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layerfunctionality associated with header compression/decompression, security(ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification),and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated withthe transfer of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correctionthrough ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC servicedata units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering ofRLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mappingbetween logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MACSDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs,scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ,priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

The transmit (TX) processor 316 and the receive (RX) processor 370implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signalprocessing functions. Layer 1, which includes a physical (PHY) layer,may include error detection on the transport channels, forward errorcorrection (FEC) coding/decoding of the transport channels,interleaving, rate matching, mapping onto physical channels,modulation/demodulation of physical channels, and MIMO antennaprocessing. The TX processor 316 handles mapping to signalconstellations based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binaryphase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK),M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation(M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols may then be split intoparallel streams. Each stream may then be mapped to an OFDM subcarrier,multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and/orfrequency domain, and then combined together using an Inverse FastFourier Transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a timedomain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially precoded toproduce multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channelestimator 374 may be used to determine the coding and modulation scheme,as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimate may be derivedfrom a reference signal and/or channel condition feedback transmitted bythe UE 350. Each spatial stream may then be provided to a differentantenna 320 via a separate transmitter 318 TX. Each transmitter 318 TXmay modulate a radio frequency (RF) carrier with a respective spatialstream for transmission.

At the UE 350, each receiver 354 RX receives a signal through itsrespective antenna 352. Each receiver 354 RX recovers informationmodulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to the receive(RX) processor 356. The TX processor 368 and the RX processor 356implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signalprocessing functions. The RX processor 356 may perform spatialprocessing on the information to recover any spatial streams destinedfor the UE 350. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 350,they may be combined by the RX processor 356 into a single OFDM symbolstream. The RX processor 356 then converts the OFDM symbol stream fromthe time-domain to the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transform(FFT). The frequency domain signal comprises a separate OFDM symbolstream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on eachsubcarrier, and the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated bydetermining the most likely signal constellation points transmitted bythe base station 310. These soft decisions may be based on channelestimates computed by the channel estimator 358. The soft decisions arethen decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signalsthat were originally transmitted by the base station 310 on the physicalchannel. The data and control signals are then provided to thecontroller/processor 359, which implements layer 3 and layer 2functionality.

The controller/processor 359 can be associated with a memory 360 thatstores program codes and data. The memory 360 may be referred to as acomputer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller/processor 359provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packetreassembly, deciphering, header decompression, and control signalprocessing to recover IP packets from the EPC 160. Thecontroller/processor 359 is also responsible for error detection usingan ACK and/or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

Similar to the functionality described in connection with the DLtransmission by the base station 310, the controller/processor 359provides RRC layer functionality associated with system information(e.g., MIB, SIBs) acquisition, RRC connections, and measurementreporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with headercompression/decompression, and security (ciphering, deciphering,integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionalityassociated with the transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correctionthrough ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs,re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; andMAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channelsand transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto TBs,demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting,error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channelprioritization.

Channel estimates derived by a channel estimator 358 from a referencesignal or feedback transmitted by the base station 310 may be used bythe TX processor 368 to select the appropriate coding and modulationschemes, and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streamsgenerated by the TX processor 368 may be provided to different antenna352 via separate transmitters 354TX. Each transmitter 354TX may modulatean RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

The UL transmission is processed at the base station 310 in a mannersimilar to that described in connection with the receiver function atthe UE 350. Each receiver 318RX receives a signal through its respectiveantenna 320. Each receiver 318RX recovers information modulated onto anRF carrier and provides the information to a RX processor 370.

The controller/processor 375 can be associated with a memory 376 thatstores program codes and data. The memory 376 may be referred to as acomputer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller/processor 375provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packetreassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control signal processingto recover IP packets from the UE 350. IP packets from thecontroller/processor 375 may be provided to the EPC 160. Thecontroller/processor 375 is also responsible for error detection usingan ACK and/or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

At least one of the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and thecontroller/processor 375 may be configured to perform aspects inconnection with 199 of FIG. 1 .

5G wireless standards have created new opportunities for innovation andunprecedented use cases, such as eMBB, URLLC, and enhanced machine-typecommunications (eMTC). Among the main drivers behind 5G technologies isthe availability of a large amount of spectrum resources, especially athigh bands, also known as millimeter wave (mmW) bands. The mainchallenges of wireless communications at mmW bands may include increasedpropagation losses, even in line-of-sight (LOS) communications, due tothe very short wavelengths and the absorption by various environmentaleffects. The challenges of wireless communications at mmW bands may alsoinclude high diffraction losses that make non-line-of-sight (NLOS)communications difficult.

The success of 5G technologies is closely related to seamlesscommunications at mmW bands. High antenna gains (albeit, with reducedbeamwidths) may be implemented and used with massive MIMO to compensatefor propagation losses. Network densification may be achieved byproviding more closely spaced base stations. Network densification mayinvolve various layers of components, such as base stations,remote-radio-heads (RRHs), various types of repeaters, small-cells,femto-cells, and reflecting surfaces.

Herein reflecting surfaces may include, or may be referred to as, forexample, fixed reflecting surfaces, IRSs, reconfigurable intelligentsurfaces (RISs), or meta-surfaces, etc.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an environment 400 in which an IRS mayoperate. An IRS 404 may include a surface with densely packed smallsurface elements. Each surface element may have a controllablereflection coefficient. By adjusting the reflection coefficient, thephase shift between the incident and reflected rays to and from thecorresponding surface element may be controlled. The IRS 404 may becontrolled by the controller 408, which may be configured based on anIRS configuration message received from the base station 402. Dependingon the implementation, various forms of non-ideal effects may takeplace. For example, the phase shift may have a limited range, or theremay be a gain variation that depends on the phase shift. Depending onthe implementation, the surface elements may also be referred to asmetaatoms.

When the surface phase (that is, the phases of the surface elements) isproperly set, the beam from the base station 402 may be reflected by theIRS 404 toward the UE 406 in downlink. Conversely, the beam from the UE406 may be reflected by the IRS 404 toward the base station 402 inuplink. Accordingly, the IRS 404 may help to reduce the pathloss andavoid blockages in the LOS propagation. The base station 402 may be anyof a base station, an RRH, a repeater of one of various types, etc.Although herein aspects may be described in relation to 5G NR and mmWbands, the aspects may be equally applicable to other technologies suchas 4G LTE, IEEE 802.11 WIFI, or future generations of technologiesincluding beyond 5G, 6G, etc., and to other bands such as the sub-6 GHzbands, terahertz bands, etc.

An IRS may produce two types of reflections. A first type may be abroadcast reflection for signals such as SSBs or random access channel(RACH) transmissions. The broadcast reflection may correspond to a widebeam, and may be used for the initial access. A second type may be afocused reflection for data transmission.

When a flat IRS is utilized, the surface face may be set for each typeof reflection. Accordingly, a considerable amount of energy may be usedfor the SSB broadcast even though no data activity is in progress. Inaddition, implementation limitations and cost issues may limit howconfigurable the surface phase may be. For example, a more rudimentaryconfigurable surface may have a limited ability to control the surfacephase (e.g., up to 60 degrees, not any arbitrary phase angle between 0and 360 degrees).

Aspects of the disclosure may relate to a non-planar surfacearchitecture of a reflective surface that by default (e.g., when thesurface phase is set to zero) may provide broadcast functionality. Thenon-planar surface architecture may also help with reducing the surfacephase for focused beams.

FIGS. 5A-C are diagrams 500A-500C, respectively, illustrating theoperations of an example non-planar reflective surface according toaspects of the disclosure. Herein the non-planar reflective surface 504,together with its control entity, may be referred to as a node. In oneconfiguration, the non-planar reflective surface 504 may have a convexcross-section along the horizontal axis, and may have a straightcross-section along the vertical axis, as illustrated in FIG. 5A. Inother configurations, the non-planar reflective surface 504 may benon-planar along other, different axes. The non-planar reflectivesurface 504 may also be referred to as a curved or convex reflectivesurface.

Referring to FIG. 5B, when in a broadcast mode, the surface phase of thenon-planar reflective surface 504 may be set to zero. When the surfacephase is set to zero, the non-planar reflective surface 504 may producea broadcast reflection by virtue of its convex horizontal cross-section.The broadcast mode may be utilized for the transmission of SSBs, or forRACH transmission and reception. Depending on the technology used,setting the surface phase to zero may reduce the power used by thereflective surface 504.

Referring to FIG. 5C, when in a focused or UE-specific mode, thenon-planar reflective surface 504 may include one or more areas 508. Onearea 508 may be used for each served UE 506. An area 508 may be narrowhorizontally, but tall vertically. The location of an area 508 may bechosen such that the area 508 may face toward the respective served UE506. Consequently, the surface phase variation may be reduced orminimized. This may be especially helpful if the surface loss associatedwith the IRS is higher for larger angles.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example non-planar reflectivesurface 600 according to one aspect of the disclosure. As illustrated,the curved or convex surface of the non-planar reflective surface 600may be constructed using multiple flat surfaces (strips) 602. The flatsegments 602 may be disposed at an angle with respect to each other suchthat the completed construction approximates a curved reflectivesurface. Reflective elements may be associated with each of the flatsegments 602. The construction of the non-planar reflective surface 600may be simplified through the use of such flat segments 602. As thenumber of flat segments 602 used in the construction is increased, abetter approximation to a smooth curved surface may be achieved.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a communication flow 700 of a method of wirelesscommunication. The base station 702 may correspond to the base station102/180/310/502. The node 704 may correspond to the node 112/504. The UE706 may correspond to UE 104/350/506. At 708, the base station 702 mayselect a surface configuration of at least one convex reflective surfaceof a node 704. The surface configuration may correspond to at least oneof a broadcast configuration or a UE-specific configuration. At 710, thebase station 702 may transmit to the node 704, and the node 704 mayreceive from the base station 702, an indication of the surfaceconfiguration of the at least one convex reflective surface of the node704. The indication may indicate that the surface configurationcorresponds to at least one of the broadcast configuration or theUE-specific configuration. At 712, the node 704 may configure, uponreceiving the indication of the surface configuration, the at least oneconvex reflective surface based on the surface configuration.

At 712 a, the node 704 may set a surface phase of the at least oneconvex reflective surface to zero based on the broadcast configuration.At 712 b, based on the UE-specific configuration, the node 704 mayconfigure each of the plurality of areas of the at least one convexreflective surface to be associated with one of the plurality of UEs,e.g., UE 706. At 712 c, based on the UE-specific configuration, the node704 may configure each of the plurality of areas of the at least oneconvex reflective surface to have an elongated shape including a heightthat is larger than a width. At 712 d, based on the UE-specificconfiguration, the node 704 may configure each of the plurality of areasof the at least one convex reflective surface to face toward therespective associated one of the plurality of UEs, e.g., UE 706. At 712e, based on the UE-specific configuration, the node 704 may configureeach of the plurality of areas of the at least one convex reflectivesurface to reflect one or more signals toward the respective associatedone of the plurality of UEs, e.g., UE 706.

At 714, the base station 702 may transmit communication to, or receivecommunication from, one or more UEs, e.g., UE 706, via the node 704based on the surface configuration of the at least one convex reflectivesurface. At 716, the node 704 may forward communication received from,or forward communication to, the base station 702 based on the surfaceconfiguration of the at least one convex reflective surface.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart 800 of a method of wireless communication. Themethod may be performed by a base station (e.g., the base station102/180/310/502/702; the apparatus 1102). At 802, the base station mayselect a surface configuration of at least one convex reflective surfaceof a node. The surface configuration may correspond to at least one of abroadcast configuration or a UE-specific configuration. For example, 802may be performed by the IRS component 1140 in FIG. 11 . Referring toFIG. 7 , at 708, the base station 702 may select a surface configurationof at least one convex reflective surface of a node 704.

At 804, the base station may transmit, to the node, an indication of thesurface configuration of the at least one convex reflective surface ofthe node. The indication may indicate that the surface configurationcorresponds to at least one of the broadcast configuration or theUE-specific configuration. For example, 804 may be performed by the IRScomponent 1140 in FIG. 11 . Referring to FIG. 7 , at 710, the basestation 702 may transmit, to the node 704, an indication of the surfaceconfiguration of the at least one convex reflective surface of the node704.

At 806, the base station may transmit communication to, or receivecommunication from, one or more UEs via the node based on the surfaceconfiguration of the at least one convex reflective surface. Forexample, 806 may be performed by the IRS component 1140 in FIG. 11 .Referring to FIG. 7 , at 714, the base station 702 may transmitcommunication to, or receive communication from, one or more UEs, e.g.,UE 706, via the node 704 based on the surface configuration of the atleast one convex reflective surface.

In one configuration, the broadcast configuration may be associated withone or more broadcast signals.

In one configuration, the one or more broadcast signals associated withthe broadcast configuration may include one or more SSBs or one or moreRACH transmissions.

In one configuration, a surface phase of the at least one convexreflective surface may be zero based on the broadcast configuration.

In one configuration, the UE-specific configuration may be associatedwith a plurality of areas of the at least one convex reflective surfacebeing configured respectively for a plurality of UEs.

In one configuration, based on the UE-specific configuration, each ofthe plurality of areas of the at least one convex reflective surface maybe associated with one of the plurality of UEs.

In one configuration, based on the UE-specific configuration, each ofthe plurality of areas of the at least one convex reflective surface maybe associated with an elongated shape including a height that is largerthan a width.

In one configuration, based on the UE-specific configuration, each ofthe plurality of areas of the at least one convex reflective surface mayface toward the respective associated one of the plurality of UEs.

In one configuration, based on the UE-specific configuration, one ormore signals may be reflected from each of the plurality of areas of theat least one convex reflective surface toward the respective associatedone of the plurality of UEs.

In one configuration, the at least one convex reflective surface may beconvex with respect to a horizontal axis and may be straight withrespect to a vertical axis.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart 900 of a method of wireless communication. Themethod may be performed by a node (e.g., the node 112/504/704; theapparatus 1202). At 902, the node may receive, from a base station, anindication of a surface configuration of at least one convex reflectivesurface of the node. The indication may indicate that the surfaceconfiguration corresponds to at least one of a broadcast configurationor a UE-specific configuration. For example, 902 may be performed by theIRS component 1240 in FIG. 12 . Referring to FIG. 7 , at 710, the node704 may receive, from a base station 702, an indication of a surfaceconfiguration of at least one convex reflective surface of the node 704.

At 904, the node may configure, upon receiving the indication of thesurface configuration, the at least one convex reflective surface basedon the surface configuration. The surface configuration may correspondto at least one of the broadcast configuration or the UE-specificconfiguration. For example, 904 may be performed by the IRS component1240 in FIG. 12 . Referring to FIG. 7 , at 712, the node 704 mayconfigure, upon receiving the indication of the surface configuration,the at least one convex reflective surface based on the surfaceconfiguration.

At 906, the node may forward communication received from, or forwardcommunication to, the base station based on the surface configuration ofthe at least one convex reflective surface. For example, 906 may beperformed by the IRS component 1240 in FIG. 12 . Referring to FIG. 7 ,at 716, the node 704 may forward communication received from, or forwardcommunication to, the base station 702 based on the surfaceconfiguration of the at least one convex reflective surface.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart 1000 of a method of wireless communication. Themethod may be performed by a node (e.g., the node 112/504/704; theapparatus 1202). At 1002, the node may receive, from a base station, anindication of a surface configuration of at least one convex reflectivesurface of the node. The indication may indicate that the surfaceconfiguration corresponds to at least one of a broadcast configurationor a UE-specific configuration. For example, 1002 may be performed bythe IRS component 1240 in FIG. 12 . Referring to FIG. 7 , at 710, thenode 704 may receive, from a base station 702, an indication of asurface configuration of at least one convex reflective surface of thenode 704.

At 1004, the node may configure, upon receiving the indication of thesurface configuration, the at least one convex reflective surface basedon the surface configuration. The surface configuration may correspondto at least one of the broadcast configuration or the UE-specificconfiguration. For example, 1004 may be performed by the IRS component1240 in FIG. 12 . Referring to FIG. 7 , at 712, the node 704 mayconfigure, upon receiving the indication of the surface configuration,the at least one convex reflective surface based on the surfaceconfiguration.

At 1006, the node may forward communication received from, or forwardcommunication to, the base station based on the surface configuration ofthe at least one convex reflective surface. For example, 1006 may beperformed by the IRS component 1240 in FIG. 12 . Referring to FIG. 7 ,at 716, the node 704 may forward communication received from, or forwardcommunication to, the base station 702 based on the surfaceconfiguration of the at least one convex reflective surface.

In one configuration, the broadcast configuration may be associated withone or more broadcast signals.

In one configuration, the one or more broadcast signals associated withthe broadcast configuration may include one or more SSBs or one or moreRACH transmissions.

In one configuration, at 1004 a, the node may set a surface phase of theat least one convex reflective surface to zero based on the broadcastconfiguration. For example, 1004 a may be performed by the IRS component1240 in FIG. 12 . Referring to FIG. 7 , at 712 a, the node 704 may set asurface phase of the at least one convex reflective surface to zerobased on the broadcast configuration.

In one configuration, the UE-specific configuration may be associatedwith a plurality of areas of the at least one convex reflective surfacebeing configured respectively for a plurality of UEs.

In one configuration, at 1004 b, based on the UE-specific configuration,the node may configure each of the plurality of areas of the at leastone convex reflective surface to be associated with one of the pluralityof UEs. For example, 1004 b may be performed by the IRS component 1240in FIG. 12 . Referring to FIG. 7 , at 712 b, based on the UE-specificconfiguration, the node 704 may configure each of the plurality of areasof the at least one convex reflective surface to be associated with oneof the plurality of UEs, e.g., UE 706.

In one configuration, at 1004 c, based on the UE-specific configuration,the node may configure each of the plurality of areas of the at leastone convex reflective surface to have an elongated shape including aheight that is larger than a width. For example, 1004 c may be performedby the IRS component 1240 in FIG. 12 . Referring to FIG. 7 , at 712 c,based on the UE-specific configuration, the node 704 may configure eachof the plurality of areas of the at least one convex reflective surfaceto have an elongated shape including a height that is larger than awidth.

In one configuration, at 1004 d, based on the UE-specific configuration,the node may configure each of the plurality of areas of the at leastone convex reflective surface to face toward the respective associatedone of the plurality of UEs. For example, 1004 d may be performed by theIRS component 1240 in FIG. 12 . Referring to FIG. 7 , at 712 d, based onthe UE-specific configuration, the node 704 may configure each of theplurality of areas of the at least one convex reflective surface to facetoward the respective associated one of the plurality of UEs, e.g., UE706.

In one configuration, at 1004 e, based on the UE-specific configuration,the node may configure each of the plurality of areas of the at leastone convex reflective surface to reflect one or more signals toward therespective associated one of the plurality of UEs. For example, 1004 emay be performed by the IRS component 1240 in FIG. 12 . Referring toFIG. 7 , at 712 e, based on the UE-specific configuration, the node 704may configure each of the plurality of areas of the at least one convexreflective surface to reflect one or more signals toward the respectiveassociated one of the plurality of UEs, e.g., UE 706.

In one configuration, the at least one convex reflective surface may beconvex with respect to a horizontal axis and may be straight withrespect to a vertical axis.

In one configuration, the at least one convex reflective surface mayinclude a plurality of flat portions arranged at an angle with respectto each other.

FIG. 11 is a diagram 1100 illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an apparatus 1102. The apparatus 1102 may be a basestation, a component of a base station, or may implement base stationfunctionality. In some aspects, the apparatus 1102 may include abaseband unit 1104. The baseband unit 1104 may communicate through acellular RF transceiver 1122 with the UE 104 or the node 112. Thebaseband unit 1104 may include a computer-readable medium/memory. Thebaseband unit 1104 is responsible for general processing, including theexecution of software stored on the computer-readable medium/memory. Thesoftware, when executed by the baseband unit 1104, causes the basebandunit 1104 to perform the various functions described supra. Thecomputer-readable medium/memory may also be used for storing data thatis manipulated by the baseband unit 1104 when executing software. Thebaseband unit 1104 further includes a reception component 1130, acommunication manager 1132, and a transmission component 1134. Thecommunication manager 1132 includes the one or more illustratedcomponents. The components within the communication manager 1132 may bestored in the computer-readable medium/memory and/or configured ashardware within the baseband unit 1104. The baseband unit 1104 may be acomponent of the base station 310 and may include the memory 376 and/orat least one of the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and thecontroller/processor 375.

The communication manager 1132 includes an IRS component 1140 that maybe configured to select a surface configuration of at least one convexreflective surface of a node, the surface configuration corresponding toat least one of a broadcast configuration or a UE-specificconfiguration, e.g., as described in connection with 802 in FIG. 8 . TheIRS component 1140 may be configured to transmit, to the node, anindication of the surface configuration of the at least one convexreflective surface of the node, the indication indicating that thesurface configuration corresponds to at least one of the broadcastconfiguration or the UE-specific configuration, e.g., as described inconnection with 804 in FIG. 8 . The IRS component 1140 may be configuredto transmit communication to, or receive communication from, one or moreUEs via the node based on the surface configuration of the at least oneconvex reflective surface, e.g., as described in connection with 806 inFIG. 8 .

The apparatus may include additional components that perform each of theblocks of the algorithm in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8 . As such,each block in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8 may be performed by acomponent and the apparatus may include one or more of those components.The components may be one or more hardware components specificallyconfigured to carry out the stated processes/algorithm, implemented by aprocessor configured to perform the stated processes/algorithm, storedwithin a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, orsome combination thereof.

As shown, the apparatus 1102 may include a variety of componentsconfigured for various functions. In one configuration, the apparatus1102, and in particular the baseband unit 1104, includes means forselecting a surface configuration of at least one convex reflectivesurface of a node, the surface configuration corresponding to at leastone of a broadcast configuration or a UE-specific configuration. Theapparatus 1102 may include means for transmitting, to the node, anindication of the surface configuration of the at least one convexreflective surface of the node, the indication indicating that thesurface configuration corresponds to at least one of the broadcastconfiguration or the UE-specific configuration. The apparatus 1102 mayinclude means for transmitting communication to, or receivingcommunication from, one or more UEs via the node based on the surfaceconfiguration of the at least one convex reflective surface.

In one configuration, the broadcast configuration may be associated withone or more broadcast signals. In one configuration, the one or morebroadcast signals associated with the broadcast configuration mayinclude one or more SSBs or one or more RACH transmissions. In oneconfiguration, a surface phase of the at least one convex reflectivesurface may be zero based on the broadcast configuration. In oneconfiguration, the UE-specific configuration may be associated with aplurality of areas of the at least one convex reflective surface beingconfigured respectively for a plurality of UEs. In one configuration,based on the UE-specific configuration, each of the plurality of areasof the at least one convex reflective surface may be associated with oneof the plurality of UEs. In one configuration, based on the UE-specificconfiguration, each of the plurality of areas of the at least one convexreflective surface may be associated with an elongated shape including aheight that is larger than a width. In one configuration, based on theUE-specific configuration, each of the plurality of areas of the atleast one convex reflective surface may face toward the respectiveassociated one of the plurality of UEs. In one configuration, based onthe UE-specific configuration, one or more signals may be reflected fromeach of the plurality of areas of the at least one convex reflectivesurface toward the respective associated one of the plurality of UEs. Inone configuration, the at least one convex reflective surface may beconvex with respect to a horizontal axis and may be straight withrespect to a vertical axis.

The means may be one or more of the components of the apparatus 1102configured to perform the functions recited by the means. As describedsupra, the apparatus 1102 may include the TX Processor 316, the RXProcessor 370, and the controller/processor 375. As such, in oneconfiguration, the means may be the TX Processor 316, the RX Processor370, and the controller/processor 375 configured to perform thefunctions recited by the means.

FIG. 12 is a diagram 1200 illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an apparatus 1202. The apparatus 1202 may be areflective surface, a node a component of a node, a control entity ofthe reflective surface, or may implement node functionality. In someaspects, the apparatus 1202 may include a baseband unit 1204. Thebaseband unit 1204 may communicate through a cellular RF transceiver1222 with the UE 104 or the base station 102/180. The baseband unit 1204may include a computer-readable medium/memory. The baseband unit 1204 isresponsible for general processing, including the execution of softwarestored on the computer-readable medium/memory. The software, whenexecuted by the baseband unit 1204, causes the baseband unit 1204 toperform the various functions described supra. The computer-readablemedium/memory may also be used for storing data that is manipulated bythe baseband unit 1204 when executing software. The baseband unit 1204further includes a reception component 1230, a communication manager1232, and a transmission component 1234. The communication manager 1232includes the one or more illustrated components. The components withinthe communication manager 1232 may be stored in the computer-readablemedium/memory and/or configured as hardware within the baseband unit1204. The baseband unit 1204 may be a component of the base station 310and may include the memory 376 and/or at least one of the TX processor316, the RX processor 370, and the controller/processor 375.

The communication manager 1232 includes an IRS component 1240 that maybe configured to receive, from a base station, an indication of asurface configuration of at least one convex reflective surface of thenode, the indication indicating that the surface configurationcorresponds to at least one of a broadcast configuration or aUE-specific configuration, e.g., as described in connection with 902 inFIGS. 9 and 1002 in FIG. 10 . The IRS component 1240 may be configuredto configure, upon receiving the indication of the surfaceconfiguration, the at least one convex reflective surface based on thesurface configuration, the surface configuration corresponding to atleast one of the broadcast configuration or the UE-specificconfiguration, e.g., as described in connection with 904 in FIGS. 9 and1004 in FIG. 10 . The IRS component 1240 may be configured to set asurface phase of the at least one convex reflective surface to zerobased on the broadcast configuration, e.g., as described in connectionwith 1004 a in FIG. 10 . The IRS component 1240 may be configured toconfigure, based on the UE-specific configuration, each of the pluralityof areas of the at least one convex reflective surface to be associatedwith one of the plurality of UEs, e.g., as described in connection with1004 b in FIG. 10 . The IRS component 1240 may be configured toconfigure, based on the UE-specific configuration, each of the pluralityof areas of the at least one convex reflective surface to have anelongated shape including a height that is larger than a width, e.g., asdescribed in connection with 1004 c in FIG. 10 . The IRS component 1240may be configured to configure, based on the UE-specific configuration,each of the plurality of areas of the at least one convex reflectivesurface to face toward the respective associated one of the plurality ofUEs, e.g., as described in connection with 1004 d in FIG. 10 . The IRScomponent 1240 may be configured to configure, based on the UE-specificconfiguration, each of the plurality of areas of the at least one convexreflective surface to reflect one or more signals toward the respectiveassociated one of the plurality of UEs, e.g., as described in connectionwith 1004 e in FIG. 10 . The IRS component 1240 may be configured toforward communication received from, or forward communication to, thebase station based on the surface configuration of the at least oneconvex reflective surface, e.g., as described in connection with 906 inFIGS. 9 and 1006 in FIG. 10 .

The apparatus may include additional components that perform each of theblocks of the algorithm in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7, 9, and 10 . Assuch, each block in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7, 9, and 10 may beperformed by a component and the apparatus may include one or more ofthose components. The components may be one or more hardware componentsspecifically configured to carry out the stated processes/algorithm,implemented by a processor configured to perform the statedprocesses/algorithm, stored within a computer-readable medium forimplementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

As shown, the apparatus 1202 may include a variety of componentsconfigured for various functions. In one configuration, the apparatus1202, and in particular the baseband unit 1204, includes means forreceiving, from a base station, an indication of a surface configurationof at least one convex reflective surface of the node, the indicationindicating that the surface configuration corresponds to at least one ofa broadcast configuration or a UE-specific configuration. The apparatus1202 may include means for configuring, upon receiving the indication ofthe surface configuration, the at least one convex reflective surfacebased on the surface configuration, the surface configurationcorresponding to at least one of the broadcast configuration or theUE-specific configuration. The apparatus 1202 may include means forforwarding communication received from, or forwarding communication to,the base station based on the surface configuration of the at least oneconvex reflective surface.

In one configuration, the broadcast configuration may be associated withone or more broadcast signals. In one configuration, the one or morebroadcast signals associated with the broadcast configuration mayinclude one or more SSBs or one or more RACH transmissions. In oneconfiguration, the apparatus 1202 may include means for setting asurface phase of the at least one convex reflective surface to zerobased on the broadcast configuration. In one configuration, theUE-specific configuration may be associated with a plurality of areas ofthe at least one convex reflective surface being configured respectivelyfor a plurality of UEs. In one configuration, the apparatus 1202 mayinclude means for configuring, based on the UE-specific configuration,each of the plurality of areas of the at least one convex reflectivesurface to be associated with one of the plurality of UEs. In oneconfiguration, the apparatus 1202 may include means for configuring,based on the UE-specific configuration, each of the plurality of areasof the at least one convex reflective surface to have an elongated shapeincluding a height that is larger than a width. In one configuration,the apparatus 1202 may include means for configuring, based on theUE-specific configuration, each of the plurality of areas of the atleast one convex reflective surface to face toward the respectiveassociated one of the plurality of UEs. In one configuration, theapparatus 1202 may include means for configuring, based on theUE-specific configuration, each of the plurality of areas of the atleast one convex reflective surface to reflect one or more signalstoward the respective associated one of the plurality of UEs. In oneconfiguration, the at least one convex reflective surface may be convexwith respect to a horizontal axis and may be straight with respect to avertical axis. In one configuration, the at least one convex reflectivesurface may include a plurality of flat portions arranged at an anglewith respect to each other.

The means may be one or more of the components of the apparatus 1202configured to perform the functions recited by the means. As describedsupra, the apparatus 1202 may include the TX Processor 316, the RXProcessor 370, and the controller/processor 375. As such, in oneconfiguration, the means may be the TX Processor 316, the RX Processor370, and the controller/processor 375 configured to perform thefunctions recited by the means.

Accordingly, aspects described herein may relate to a non-planarreflective surface. The node may receive, from a base station, anindication of a surface configuration of at least one convex reflectivesurface of the node. The indication may indicate that the surfaceconfiguration corresponds to at least one of a broadcast configurationor a UE-specific configuration. The node may configure, upon receivingthe indication of the surface configuration, the at least one convexreflective surface based on the surface configuration. The surfaceconfiguration may correspond to at least one of the broadcastconfiguration or the UE-specific configuration. The node may forwardcommunication received from, or forward communication to, the basestation based on the surface configuration of the at least one convexreflective surface. With the use of the non-planar reflective surface,power consumption at the IRS may be reduced, especially when the IRS isin the broadcast mode. Further, the surface angle may be reduced orminimized when the IRS is in the focused or UE-specific mode.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in theprocesses/flowcharts disclosed is an illustration of example approaches.Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific orderor hierarchy of blocks in the processes/flowcharts may be rearranged.Further, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The accompanying methodclaims present elements of the various blocks in a sample order, and arenot meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. Variousmodifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the language claims, wherein reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specificallyso stated, but rather “one or more.” Terms such as “if,” “when,” and“while” should be interpreted to mean “under the condition that” ratherthan imply an immediate temporal relationship or reaction. That is,these phrases, e.g., “when,” do not imply an immediate action inresponse to or during the occurrence of an action, but simply imply thatif a condition is met then an action will occur, but without requiring aspecific or immediate time constraint for the action to occur. The word“exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is notnecessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otheraspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers toone or more. Combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one ormore of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A,B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” include anycombination of A, B, and/or C, and may include multiples of A, multiplesof B, or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as “at leastone of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B,and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combinationthereof” may be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or Aand B and C, where any such combinations may contain one or more memberor members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents tothe elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosurethat are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill inthe art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intendedto be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein isintended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether suchdisclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. The words “module,”“mechanism,” “element,” “device,” and the like may not be a substitutefor the word “means.” As such, no claim element is to be construed as ameans plus function unless the element is expressly recited using thephrase “means for.”

The following aspects are illustrative only and may be combined withother aspects or teachings described herein, without limitation.

Aspect 1 is an apparatus for wireless communication at a base stationincluding at least one processor coupled to a memory and configured toselect a surface configuration of at least one convex reflective surfaceof a node, the surface configuration corresponding to at least one of abroadcast configuration or a UE-specific configuration; transmit, to thenode, an indication of the surface configuration of the at least oneconvex reflective surface of the node, the indication indicating thatthe surface configuration corresponds to at least one of the broadcastconfiguration or the UE-specific configuration; and transmitcommunication to, or receive communication from, one or more UEs via thenode based on the surface configuration of the at least one convexreflective surface.

Aspect 2 is the apparatus of aspect 1, where the broadcast configurationis associated with one or more broadcast signals.

Aspect 3 is the apparatus of aspect 2, where the one or more broadcastsignals associated with the broadcast configuration include one or moreSSBs or one or more RACH transmissions.

Aspect 4 is the apparatus of any of aspects 2 and 3, where a surfacephase of the at least one convex reflective surface is zero based on thebroadcast configuration.

Aspect 5 is the apparatus of aspect 1, where the UE-specificconfiguration is associated with a plurality of areas of the at leastone convex reflective surface being configured respectively for aplurality of UEs.

Aspect 6 is the apparatus of aspect 5, where based on the UE-specificconfiguration, each of the plurality of areas of the at least one convexreflective surface is associated with one of the plurality of UEs.

Aspect 7 is the apparatus of aspect 6, where based on the UE-specificconfiguration, each of the plurality of areas of the at least one convexreflective surface is associated with an elongated shape including aheight that is larger than a width.

Aspect 8 is the apparatus of any of aspects 6 and 7, where based on theUE-specific configuration, each of the plurality of areas of the atleast one convex reflective surface faces toward the respectiveassociated one of the plurality of UEs.

Aspect 9 is the apparatus of any of aspects 6 to 8, where based on theUE-specific configuration, one or more signals are reflected from eachof the plurality of areas of the at least one convex reflective surfacetoward the respective associated one of the plurality of UEs.

Aspect 10 is the apparatus of any of aspects 1 to 9, where the at leastone convex reflective surface is convex with respect to a horizontalaxis and is straight with respect to a vertical axis.

Aspect 11 is the apparatus of any of aspects 1 to 10, further includinga transceiver coupled to the at least one processor.

Aspect 12 is an apparatus for wireless communication at a node includingat least one processor coupled to a memory and configured to receive,from a base station, an indication of a surface configuration of atleast one convex reflective surface of the node, the indicationindicating that the surface configuration corresponds to at least one ofa broadcast configuration or a UE-specific configuration; configure,upon receiving the indication of the surface configuration, the at leastone convex reflective surface based on the surface configuration, thesurface configuration corresponding to at least one of the broadcastconfiguration or the UE-specific configuration; and forwardcommunication received from, or forward communication to, the basestation based on the surface configuration of the at least one convexreflective surface.

Aspect 13 is the apparatus of aspect 12, where the broadcastconfiguration is associated with one or more broadcast signals.

Aspect 14 is the apparatus of aspect 13, where the one or more broadcastsignals associated with the broadcast configuration include one or moreSSBs or one or more RACH transmissions.

Aspect 15 is the apparatus of any of aspects 13 and 14, the at least oneprocessor being further configured to: set a surface phase of the atleast one convex reflective surface to zero based on the broadcastconfiguration.

Aspect 16 is the apparatus of aspect 12, where the UE-specificconfiguration is associated with a plurality of areas of the at leastone convex reflective surface being configured respectively for aplurality of UEs.

Aspect 17 is the apparatus of aspect 16, the at least one processorbeing further configured to: configure, based on the UE-specificconfiguration, each of the plurality of areas of the at least one convexreflective surface to be associated with one of the plurality of UEs.

Aspect 18 is the apparatus of aspect 17, the at least one processorbeing further configured to: configure, based on the UE-specificconfiguration, each of the plurality of areas of the at least one convexreflective surface to have an elongated shape including a height that islarger than a width.

Aspect 19 is the apparatus of any of aspects 17 and 18, the at least oneprocessor being further configured to: configure, based on theUE-specific configuration, each of the plurality of areas of the atleast one convex reflective surface to face toward the respectiveassociated one of the plurality of UEs.

Aspect 20 is the apparatus of any of aspects 17 to 19, the at least oneprocessor being further configured to: configure, based on theUE-specific configuration, each of the plurality of areas of the atleast one convex reflective surface to reflect one or more signalstoward the respective associated one of the plurality of UEs.

Aspect 21 is the apparatus of any of aspects 12 to 20, where the atleast one convex reflective surface is convex with respect to ahorizontal axis and is straight with respect to a vertical axis.

Aspect 22 is the apparatus of aspect 21, where the at least one convexreflective surface includes a plurality of flat portions arranged at anangle with respect to each other.

Aspect 23 is the apparatus of any of aspects 12 to 22, further includinga transceiver coupled to the at least one processor.

Aspect 24 is a method of wireless communication for implementing any ofaspects 1 to 23.

Aspect 25 is an apparatus for wireless communication including means forimplementing any of aspects 1 to 23.

Aspect 26 is a computer-readable medium storing computer executablecode, where the code when executed by a processor causes the processorto implement any of aspects 1 to 23.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for wireless communication at a basestation, comprising: a memory; and at least one processor coupled to thememory and configured to: select a surface configuration of at least oneconvex reflective surface of a node, the surface configurationcorresponding to at least one of a broadcast configuration or a userequipment (UE)-specific configuration; transmit, to the node, anindication of the surface configuration of the at least one convexreflective surface of the node, the indication indicating that thesurface configuration corresponds to at least one of the broadcastconfiguration or the UE-specific configuration; and transmitcommunication to, or receive communication from, one or more UEs via thenode based on the surface configuration of the at least one convexreflective surface.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the broadcastconfiguration is associated with one or more broadcast signals.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more broadcast signalsassociated with the broadcast configuration comprise one or moresynchronization signal blocks (SSBs) or one or more random accesschannel (RACH) transmissions.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein asurface phase of the at least one convex reflective surface is zerobased on the broadcast configuration.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the UE-specific configuration is associated with a plurality ofareas of the at least one convex reflective surface being configuredrespectively for a plurality of UEs.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein based on the UE-specific configuration, each of the plurality ofareas of the at least one convex reflective surface is associated withone of the plurality of UEs.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein basedon the UE-specific configuration, each of the plurality of areas of theat least one convex reflective surface is associated with an elongatedshape including a height that is larger than a width.
 8. The apparatusof claim 6, wherein based on the UE-specific configuration, each of theplurality of areas of the at least one convex reflective surface facestoward the respective associated one of the plurality of UEs.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein based on the UE-specific configuration,one or more signals are reflected from each of the plurality of areas ofthe at least one convex reflective surface toward the respectiveassociated one of the plurality of UEs.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the at least one convex reflective surface is convex withrespect to a horizontal axis and is straight with respect to a verticalaxis.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transceivercoupled to the at least one processor.
 12. A method of wirelesscommunication at a base station, comprising: selecting a surfaceconfiguration of at least one convex reflective surface of a node, thesurface configuration corresponding to at least one of a broadcastconfiguration or a user equipment (UE)-specific configuration;transmitting, to the node, an indication of the surface configuration ofthe at least one convex reflective surface of the node, the indicationindicating that the surface configuration corresponds to at least one ofthe broadcast configuration or the UE-specific configuration; andtransmitting communication to, or receiving communication from, one ormore UEs via the node based on the surface configuration of the at leastone convex reflective surface.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein thebroadcast configuration is associated with one or more broadcastsignals.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more broadcastsignals associated with the broadcast configuration comprise one or moresynchronization signal blocks (SSBs) or one or more random accesschannel (RACH) transmissions.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein asurface phase of the at least one convex reflective surface is zerobased on the broadcast configuration.
 16. An apparatus for wirelesscommunication at a node, comprising: a memory; and at least oneprocessor coupled to the memory and configured to: receive, from a basestation, an indication of a surface configuration of at least one convexreflective surface of the node, the indication indicating that thesurface configuration corresponds to at least one of a broadcastconfiguration or a user equipment (UE)-specific configuration;configure, upon receiving the indication of the surface configuration,the at least one convex reflective surface based on the surfaceconfiguration, the surface configuration corresponding to at least oneof the broadcast configuration or the UE-specific configuration; andforward communication received from, or forward communication to, thebase station based on the surface configuration of the at least oneconvex reflective surface.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein thebroadcast configuration is associated with one or more broadcastsignals.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or morebroadcast signals associated with the broadcast configuration compriseone or more synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) or one or more randomaccess channel (RACH) transmissions.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, theat least one processor being further configured to: set a surface phaseof the at least one convex reflective surface to zero based on thebroadcast configuration.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein theUE-specific configuration is associated with a plurality of areas of theat least one convex reflective surface being configured respectively fora plurality of UEs.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, the at least oneprocessor being further configured to: configure, based on theUE-specific configuration, each of the plurality of areas of the atleast one convex reflective surface to be associated with one of theplurality of UEs.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, the at least oneprocessor being further configured to: configure, based on theUE-specific configuration, each of the plurality of areas of the atleast one convex reflective surface to have an elongated shape includinga height that is larger than a width.
 23. The apparatus of claim 21, theat least one processor being further configured to: configure, based onthe UE-specific configuration, each of the plurality of areas of the atleast one convex reflective surface to face toward the respectiveassociated one of the plurality of UEs.
 24. The apparatus of claim 21,the at least one processor being further configured to: configure, basedon the UE-specific configuration, each of the plurality of areas of theat least one convex reflective surface to reflect one or more signalstoward the respective associated one of the plurality of UEs.
 25. Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one convex reflectivesurface is convex with respect to a horizontal axis and is straight withrespect to a vertical axis.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein theat least one convex reflective surface comprises a plurality of flatportions arranged at an angle with respect to each other.
 27. Theapparatus of claim 16, further comprising a transceiver coupled to theat least one processor.
 28. A method of wireless communication at anode, comprising: receiving, from a base station, an indication of asurface configuration of at least one convex reflective surface of thenode, the indication indicating that the surface configurationcorresponds to at least one of a broadcast configuration or a userequipment (UE)-specific configuration; configuring, upon receiving theindication of the surface configuration, the at least one convexreflective surface based on the surface configuration, the surfaceconfiguration corresponding to at least one of the broadcastconfiguration or the UE-specific configuration; and forwardingcommunication received from, or forwarding communication to, the basestation based on the surface configuration of the at least one convexreflective surface.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the broadcastconfiguration is associated with one or more broadcast signals.
 30. Themethod of claim 29, wherein the one or more broadcast signals associatedwith the broadcast configuration comprise one or more synchronizationsignal blocks (SSBs) or one or more random access channel (RACH)transmissions.